Wowee Zowee: Sordid Sentinels Edition

Pavement

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: November 7, 2006
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Matador Records
• ASIN: B000IOMXXA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,425 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Originally released in April 1995, fresh off the success of "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain", the band recorded a deliberately chaotic and eclectic album that sounded nothing like its predecessor. With influences from the Groundhogs to the Frogs, Captain Beefheart to the more obscure mid-'80s central California hardcore bands, "Wowee Zowee" confused critics and alienated fans. Yet it became a fan favorite over time. The songs have a darkness that now seems appropriate and with Bryce Goggin at the mixing desk, the production was the band's most rocking to date. This super-deluxe re-mastered comp contains an embossed slipcase with two CDs and a 64-page perfect-bound book, fifty tracks total; eighteen unreleased recordings, nine non-album b-sides, four compilation tracks, five BBC Evening Session tracks and much more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wowee Zowee, November 14, 2006

By	Ben Dugan "Ben Dugan" (Flying Monkey Killer) - See all my reviews

It's weird that a band like Pavement, who often seemed bored with many of the trappings of rock rules, are the best at putting out these deluxe, extended editions. Where most bands redo the sound a little, throw on a few demos, maybe a live track or two and then expect you to buy it for thirty dollars, Pavement continue to re-release their back catalog with excellent books, a plethora of bonus tracks and excellent packaging. And all for a decent price. God bless you Pavement.
"Wowee Zowee: Sordid Sentinels Edition" continues this trend with yet another great package. The origanel album sounds great, and although not all the bonus material is golden, everything is worth hearing as it paints a more complete picture of who Pavement were at this time period. And since this is Pavement's most eccentric album, most of the bonuses only help in better understanding the record.
The only reason I give this four stars is because I don't think "Wowee Zowee" is a five star record. It's a little sloppy(but not in the typical Pavement way) and more scattershot than what came before(and in many what would come after). Not everything works, but what does work works amazingly, and if you are a fan of Pavement then this a no brainer purchase.
And even if you're not a fan of Pavement's this is still an excellent addition to your collection.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wowee Zowee indeed..., November 7, 2006

By	David Sjöberg "Mark E Smith" (Manchester) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When this album first came out I listened to it countless times. Over the years it has remained with me and I've returned to it again and again. Now it has returned to me with tons of added bonuses. And it's safe to say it has withstood the test of time. This is an absolute masterpiece. My favorite album ever.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars, but beware of scant liner notes, January 5, 2007

By	Steven Havick (Athens, Georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

although i had plenty of friends who thought this was Pavement's masterpiece, i always thought it was a bit of an over-reach, too ambitious. consequently, i felt there were several songs that sounded strangely out of place and/or just not that good. now, those songs seem to get lost among (or blend in with) all the b-sides, previously unreleased tracks, etc that are included on this reissue, some of which are really very good and interesting (ex. the alternative version of "Fight This Generation").

the packaging is handsome, but not very durable. if you have the previous Pavement reissues then you know what I'm talking about. my big critique is a total lack of written text in the liner notes about the band and/or the making of Wowee Zoweee. there are only two measley blurbs (no longer than this review);one written by Malkmus and the other by the studio engineer.